newfie208

Wife and I are trying to plan a 2 week, flexable, trip to Spain, we will fly into Malaga and rent a car going to Seville but we also want to include a coastal drive on our way to Lisbon. We would like to stay 2/3 nights in various places, take our time and enjoy the trip, not be rushed. Our timing is very flexable, going May 2013, 2 weeks or more but not 3 weeks. Any suggestions, please. One question I would have is car rental in both countries?

Pegontheroad

I've stayed in both Málaga and Sevilla several times. I chickened out of picking up a car at the train station in each city because the idea of navigating through the traffic intimidated me. I picked up the car at the airport, where English was spoken--if that makes a difference to you.

I found roads to be excellent. Driving is easy and convenient.

In Málaga I stayed at the Don Curro, which was very satisfactory. It's modern and convenient, and it costs about $100 per night.

In Málaga I stayed at the Zenit, which was also satisfactory. It cost about $200 per night, but that was during Holy Week. It is about half that much the rest of the year. On other trips we stayed at the Casa de los Mercaderes or Casa de la Juderia (I forget which.) Very nice, but more expensive.

newfie208

what would be considered must see's between Malaga/Seville and Lisbon??

CathyM

It would help if you could give us an indication of your interests and also how many people are in your traveling party.

If this is a first trip to Andalucia at a minimum I'd suggest going to Granada for at least 2 nights after Malaga. You can take the bus, no need to rent a car for this part. I'd also suggest at least 4 nights for Sevilla. It's a wonderful city and has alot of daytrip opportunities. I'd definately visit Cordoba, at the very least as a daytrip from Sevilla. But if your trip corresponds with the Patio Festival in May I'd stay a couple of nights in Cordoba itself.

It may be nice to also rent a car between Granda and Sevilla, exploring the white villages.

There is so much to see in Andalucia and may is a great month to visit. You could easily spend the entire trip in Andalucia. Two weeks seems a long time but it's really not I'd suggest a couple of places where you stay 4 or more nights as a "base" then the rest of the time 2-3 nighters.

Have you already purchased your airfare? If so and if you really want to visit Lisbon then I'd suggest open jaw flights so you don't have to backtrack.

newfie208

wife and I are making this first time trip to southern Spain, we enjoy driving and plan to stay at least 3 nights in most places, we are working on tickets now, fly into Malaga, fly out of Lisbon to Paris for a couple nights then home. We are just planning, our time is flexable and wanted to get some ideas on what not to miss, we love the ocean and driving the coast, did that in Scotland, Italy, Croatia, Ireland and loved it, good food and wine, places not packed with tourists, we are easy to please when it comes to travel.

mamcalice

Don't miss Granada. The Alhambra is spectacular. Drive along the coast east from Malaga and then north to Granada - the coast is beautiful east of Malaaga.

kimhe

The drive from Málaga to Granada can be very nice if you go east along the coast and then up the spectacular A-4050 road known as the Moor's Sigh towards Granada. The name comes from the legenedary sigh of Boabdil, the last emir of Granada, when he in 1492 at the mountain pass known as Puerto del Suspiro del Moro, for a last time had a look back upon the now lost city. His mother shall then have said: "You cry like a woman over a city you couldn't defend as a man".
http://www.holavalencia.net/2010/02/...and-almunecar/

East of Málaga you could stop in Nerja with the famous prehistoric caves where people lived some 25 000 years ago. http://www.cuevadenerja.es/

Or you can stop in the very small village Maro next to Nerja and close to the caves (pop 800). Beautiful coastal views and total peace and quiet. The little restaurant with an outdoor terrace on the church square does not serve unforgettable food, but the atmosphere is unbeatable: http://www.leadingpropertygroupspain...amientas/maro/